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If someone says the name, Ammon, what's the first thing that comes to mind? You'd probably say, "He cut off a bunch of guys' arms, right?" Ammon was a man whose accomplishments and life reflected much more than just one story.
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These boys were a huge hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God. The scriptures say they were "stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them." Mosiah 27:9
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Long story short....this event is a pivotal life changing event not just for Alma but for all four of the sons of Mosiah, Ammon included.
It was such a game changer that they began "traveling round about through all the land publishing to all the people the things which they had heard and seen, and preaching the word of God in much tribulation, being greatly persecuted by those who were unbelievers, being smitten by many of them." Mosiah 27:32
So now those that had probably been their friends prior, are now hitting and persecuting them! With friends like that, who needs enemies? But that does not deter them. The scripture says they 'zealously strived to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them. And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer." Mosiah 27:35-36
After the sons served these "mini-missions" they returned to their father, the King and asked if he would let them go up to the land where the Lamanites, their bitter enemies lived, to preach to them. They wanted to bring the good news of the gospel to them. That perhaps they might convince them of the sins of their Lamanite fathers who had come before them, and that they might cure the Lamanites of their hatred of the Nephites. They hoped that they might even become friendly with them. Talk about delusions of grandeur! These four sons could not bear that any human soul should perish without hearing the word of God.
I love Mosiah 28:4 "And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them [the sons of Mosiah], for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever."
This verse should be engrained in each of our heads! These sons of Mosiah had been the vilest of sinners (and aren't we all?) But the Lord saw in his mercy to spare them, to save them, to cure them, to love them, to help them, so they could in turn bring others back to Him. Heavenly Father & His Son are all about giving second, third even fourth chances. It's up to us if we will take them up on their offers of kindness and mercy.
Back to King Mosiah and his sons. Can't you just put yourself in the place of King Mosiah, a father of these four kids who had been so awful and driven him so crazy and now are so good. He's probably just happy to have them home for a while. Now they are saying they want to go amongst their greatest enemies, the Lamanites. These are the people who they had warred with for years and years. If I was their Dad, I would have said absolutely NOT! You will be killed. I would say, "I command you to just stay put! Preach among your neighbors. It's safe here. We need your preaching just as much as the Lamanites." It says in Mosiah 28:5, that the sons did PLEAD with their father for MANY days that they might go to the Lamanites to teach.
King Mosiah, being the righteous king and father that he was, took it to the Lord. "What should I do?" he asked. The Lord came back with a powerful promise which once again I LOVE. "And the Lord said unto Mosiah, Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites." Mosiah 28:7
There could be no greater promise for a parent than that. Send your boys to the Lamanites and I promise that they will be safe. With that promise in hand, Mosiah grants his sons' request and they take their journey into the wilderness to preach the word among their greatest enemies, the Lamanites.
Just as a side note, any of these boys could have had the Kingdom conferred upon them. None would accept it, each rejected the rights to the Kingdom for the word of God. They left their father and departed with their swords, spears, bows, arrows, slings and a prayer in their hearts.
They journeyed many days into the wilderness, fasting much and praying that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his spirit to go with them, to abide with them. That they might be an instrument in the hands of God, to bring, if possible the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth. I can't imagine the fear and worry they must have had. However, the Lord visited him with his spirit, and they were comforted.
As they arrived at the borders of the Land of the Lamanites, they decided they could do the most good if they would separate themselves and leave one another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again.
They were embarking on a mission of God to preach to a wild and hardened and ferocious people, a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, robbing and plundering them. Lamanites whose hearts were set upon gold silver and precious things. They were an idol worshipping people who hated Nephites....and here four young Nephites go it each alone, all for the love of God and the gospel.....
What will await them in the land of Lamanites? Heartbreak, happiness, difficulty and deliverance. And we're not yet even to the arm chopping incident!
